ISLAND LIFE / PART 1

Last night we embarked into brave new waters at 318LIVE. The past month or so we have discovered what lies behind the various doors in our lives, some we should avoid (door of temptation and old lifestyle) while others we should run to open (door to intimacy with God and door to opportunity). However, last night left us shipwrecked and camped on Brandon’s new message “Island Living”. The basis of Brandon’s message sparks from quite a familiar pop culture reference: Gilligan’s Island. For those who are connoiseurs of TVLAND or born prior to the 90’s have some familiarity with the story of the S.S. Minnow. What was meant to be a 3 hour tour, left them stranded together on a deserted island for 14 years. Just as the castaways on Gilligan’s island, there are people who come into our lives who stay longer than we anticipated.

For those familiar with the story of Gilligan’s Island, the one who meant the most to Gilligan was the Skipper. Now, we might ask who does the Skipper represent in our lives? To Gilligan, the Skipper always took the role of an authority figure.

We need people of authority in our lives. However, most of us spend our lives trying to get out of the boundaries of authority. We don’t like having people telling us what to do. When we were teenagers, we longed for college and the freedom to make our own decisions. When we were in college, we longed for employment and the opportunity to make our own way. So why should we stay under the cover of authority?

Protection, Provision and Position exists under authority.

So now we know the benefits of authority, what do we do next? Should we still try to resist authority? No.

1. Submit to authority. It’s a command.  Romans 13:1 clearly states that those who rebel against authorities is equivalent to rebelling against God. How does one rebel against authority? By not submitting to it. How do we submit? To willingly obey. Now willingly and unwillingly are two different species. Unwillingly often occurs with negative speak, hypercriticism. Talking bad about authority, including governing officials such as Congress, the President, or others is rebellion.

When the church stops complaining, it will silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. One area we complain about is taxes (vs. 3-4) Here’s something interesting next time you think about complaining about taxes: taxes represent the amount of money you make. If you’re making a lot of money, if you’re prosperous, you will be taxed. It’s the people that don’t have money that don’t have to pay taxes.

1. Walk in it. (Matt 10:1; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1-2) all mention Christ gathering His disciples together and commanding them to go out under the authority Christ has to meet the needs of the people: whether it be casting out demons or healing the sick. The only reason He can pass down that responsibility is because they were under His authority. Even so, Matt 28:16-20 calls the disciples to go and teach the new converts to obey what Christ taught them. He gave the disciples a place of position.

Here are  some things to ponder. Who are the authorities in my life and am I submitted to them?  Am I walking with authority and if not, is it because I am not under the authority of Christ?

Island Life  / Part 1

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